LOVE GOD. LOVE FAMILY. LOVE OTHERS.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Why I do not smoke marijuana or weed, pot, dope... whatever you want to call it.

The first and most simple explanation... IT IS ILLEGAL!

I wouldn't smoke marijuana for the same reason that I wouldn't drive 60 in a 35.
I wouldn't smoke marijuana for the same reason that I wouldn't steel bag a chips from 7-Eleven.
These are all under the category of ILLEGAL.

The Bible clearly states that we are to obey the authorities that are over us.

1 Peter 2:13-17 says, "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king."

Romans 13:1-7 says, "Let every soul be subject unto thehigher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

The second reason does not necessarily apply to everyone, but it is a fact, nonetheless. Marijuana is sometimes referred to as the BEGINNERS DRUG.

I do realize that every one who smokes 'pot' will not automatically start smoking something "stronger" and more dangerous drugs. But, I also understand that when you start smoking marijuana you gain a certain group of friends and in most cases will eventually be offered something other than marijuana. I have spoken with individuals who at one time were cocaine and meth addicts (still in rehabilitation) who just smoked a little bit of 'pot' and never thought that it would lead down their addicted path.

You may say, "Well, it is not going to do that to me." It might not, but it has just as much capability of happening to you. In other words, why take the chance?

The Bible says that we do not know what tomorrow is going to bring and our lives are too short to take chances. (James 4:14, "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.)

My third and last reason is because of the HEALTH DANGERS of smoking marijuana.

Here are a few health dangers -
Impaired judgment and motor coordination. Shortened attention span and distractibility. Anxiety and panic attacks. Increased heart rate. Increased risk of heart attack. Increased risk for schizophrenia in vulnerable individuals. Problems with memory and learning. Decreased alertness and coordination. Withdrawal symptoms from stopping drug use: irritability, sleeplessness, anxiety, impaired appetite, and aggression.
Bottom line, if marijuana was not illegal and was not a beginners drug, I sill would not smoke it; because in doing so, I would be abusing the body that God has given me.

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."

I Corinthians 6:20 says, "...glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."

In conclusion, if you are a marijuana smoker, I think I understand why you smoke. You want a temporary 'high' and a way to momentarily escape reality because you do not like what your reality is. Simply put, you do not have a purpose for waking up in the morning so who cares if you party it up a little bit!
God loves you and I love you. He has a purpose for your life and that purpose can bring you more joy and contentment than any drug ever will.

Friday, February 11, 2011

"Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD." - Malachi 1:13

When we live a life of going through the motions, it is really easy to become weary.

Our life becomes weary because we lack purpose in our life. We either forgot or maybe never knew why we woke up to live another day. We were created by God (Genesis 1) and we all have a purpose in this life. Matthew 22:36-40 says, "Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

Our purpose in life is to have a personal relationship with God and to share the love of God with everyone else (our family and others). Pretty simple!

Unfortunately, just like when stuff gets between us and our friends, sin gets between us and God. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." - Romans 3:23. There is no way that we can be good enough for God to be friends with us. Our sin always gets in the way.

Because God hates sin so much, anyone who is a sinner has to pay for their sin. Revelation 21:8 says "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."

God did not create us to live, die and burn. Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

God's only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, paid for our sin debt by shedding His sinless blood on the cross. All the bad things we do were all placed on Jesus Christ. "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." - II Corinthians 5:21. Jesus Christ took our sin and buried it with Him in the grave, defeating sin. "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8. The Bible also teaches us that three days later, Jesus rose from the grave, defeating death itself!

Understand, you cannot be good enough or do enough good things to have a relationship with God. You cannot be good enough to escape judgment. James 2:10 says, "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." Simply change your mind about how good you are and how you do not need a Savior. Change your mind and "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved."

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." - Romans 10:13

Trust in Jesus Christ today and begin your love relationship with God. It is your purpose in life... LOVE GOD. You do not have to be weary any more.

This blog is designed for encouragement and inspiration while on your journey of life. As human beings, we are designed to love. We are to love God, our family, and others. The greatest example of love ever shown is explained in the most famous verse of the Bible, John 3:16. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."